Fair Cities
Fair Cities is a high-level national initiative, led by the National Employment Panel, the government's advisory panel of big business leaders and employers. It follows publication of the report entitled "Ethnic Minorities and the Labour Market" (2003) and is aimed at addressing the "unacceptable gap in accessing employment - around 17% - which has persisted for decades between ethnic minority communities and their white counterparts". Fair Cities intends to achieve this by changing the perceptions of people from these communities about their ability to gain employment, by informing them of the range of opportunities available and giving them the skills and confidence to access them. Actions will be managed via local Employment Panels comprising Director-level representation from local big employers.
Bradford is one of the 3 major cities (the others being Brent and Birmingham) targeted in the initiative, with its high ratio of people (particularly young people) from BME communities to working population. In Bradford almost all major employers are represented on the local Panel, with a focus on large employers such as the NHS, construction industry etc., which have a wide range of skills requirements and job opportunities.
Fair Cities prioritises actions to attract applicants from BME communities. In Bradford the top 5 deprived wards, which currently account for 30% of total unemployment / worklessness, will be targeted. Although long-term unemployment is not a significant issue in Bradford, the increase in "worklessness" - defined as total unfamiliarity with the workplace and including those not in work but not on the unemployment register - is a worrying trend, particularly amongst certain groups e.g. Asian women. Fair Cities will also target those who are under-employed, including a significant number of graduates from BME communities, assisting them to complete CVs / job applications, raising aspirations above low-level jobs, and exploring alternatives such as travel to work outside the area e.g. to Leeds, identifying transferable skills etc.
Significant funding is available to support Fair Cities and in Bradford this is likely to be around £900k in 2005-06 with a further £5m becoming available over the following two years - thus presenting a huge opportunity for the city. Bradford Fair Cities is focussed on tangible results i.e. getting people into employment, rather than on qualifications or research. Unlike previous initiatives, it will be promoted by and through employers, with a focus on exemplary practice e.g. cultural awareness programmes.
Fair Cities recognises the need to secure the commitment of mainstream training providers and gain their input, to ensure that targeted individuals can progress. Work will take place with FE and training providers to increase participation by those from identified communities and to track ongoing progress.